The Geoemydidae (formerly known as Bataguridae) are one of the largest and most diverse families

About 70% of the extant species have been reported to be in endangered or vulnerable condition.

Systematics and evolution

Traditional systematics placed the geoemydids in the family Emydidae as the subfamily Batagurinae. In the 1980s, the subfamily was elevated to the family status and renamed to Geoemydidae according to the ICZN rules.

Most fossil and molecular data support their close relationship to the family Testudinidae.

The intrafamilial taxonomy is not well established yet, due to the large number and diversity of species. The family is usually divided into two subfamilies and 19 genera.

Subfamilies and genera

The following genera are classified under Geoemydidae.

  • Family Geoemydidae
  • Genus Banhxeochelys
  • Genus Duboisemys
  • Subfamily Geoemydinae
  • Genus Batagur (six species, including part of Kachuga)
  • Genus Cuora, Asian box turtle (10 species) (including Cistoclemmys)
  • Genus Cyclemys (seven species)
  • Genus Geoclemys (monotypic genus)
  • Genus Geoemyda (two species)
  • Genus Hardella <!-- ZoolScripta36:429. --> (monotypic genus)
  • Genus Heosemys (formerly in Geoemyda)
  • Genus Leucocephalon (formerly in Geoemyda and Heosemys)
  • Genus Malayemys (three species)
  • Genus Mauremys, pond turtles (including Annamemys, Cathaiemys and Emmenia)
  • Genus Melanochelys (two species)
  • Genus Morenia (two species)
  • Genus Notochelys (monotypic genus)
  • Genus Orlitia (monotypic genus)
  • Genus Pangshura (four species) (formerly in Kachuga)<!-- ZoolScripta36:429. -->
  • Genus Sacalia, "eyed" turtles
  • Genus Siebenrockiella (two species, one subgenus Panyaenemys, formerly under Heosemys)
  • Genus Vijayachelys, cane turtle (formerly in Geoemyda and Heosemys)
  • Subfamily Rhinoclemmydinae
  • Genus Rhinoclemmys, Neotropical wood turtles

Conservation

As of the early 2013, six species of the family Geoemydidae are on the CITES Appendix I, and 30 more are on the treaty's Appendix II.

A joint China-US proposal for a March 2013 CITES participants' conference seeks to add 15 more Geoemydidae species to the convention's Appendix II.

References

  • Geoemydidae (all species) at The Reptile Database